Landing a job in the Philippines can be daunting and exhausting – it can be even harder if you plan on working overseas. However, with the desire of Filipinos to search for a good life in greener pastures, working abroad remains a popular avenue for many job hunters. Having said that, before making any big move overseas, there are several things to consider.
What Countries Are Open For Filipinos?
Finding a job abroad is easier than you realize. With the increasing demand for jobs in various fields like nursing, entertainment, tech, engineering, sales, accounting, and factory work, getting a job overseas is only a matter of getting the right information, properly doing your research, and knowing where to apply.
The Filipino workforce is very popular in other countries. In fact, there are hundreds of countries who hire overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). The top destinations include the United States, Saudi Arabia, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Other countries where Filipinos go to for work are Australia, Malaysia, Qatar, Singapore, Japan, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Kuwait. Thus, it’s important to note that each country has its own list of eligibility criteria.
Country |
Eligibility Criteria and Requirements |
| United States |
|
| Saudi Arabia |
|
| Canada |
|
| UAE |
|
| Australia |
|
| Malaysia |
|
| Qatar |
|
| Singapore |
|
| Japan |
|
| United Kingdom |
|
| Hong Kong |
|
| Kuwait |
|
Am I Eligible to Work Overseas?
If you’re eyeing better opportunities overseas, there are lots of job offerings from various countries. But, before applying a job offer, make sure you’re qualified or eligible for the position. First, you should have finished school with a course aligned to the work you’re applying for. Furthermore, you should have incurred adequate years of related experience and prepare all the needed documents for the processing of your application.
Some of the needed documents include a valid passport, a working visa or permit for the country you’re aiming to work in, criminal clearance, and certain licenses depending on your profession, among others.
What Skills Are Needed To Get A Job In Another Country?
Different countries have different needs when it comes to the kinds of professionals they’re looking for. However, the most important skill to master is language. When you’re going to another country for work, you must learn their language, both spoken and written. Not only will it give you the best possible chance of landing and keeping a job, but it will make it easier for you to adjust to living in a new country.
Another skill needed that is often overlooked is adaptability. Working in another country can be hard and overwhelming. Adapting to a new culture can be a challenge. As a result, cross-cultural understanding is another skill that’s crucial to your success. It helps in dealing with people from different backgrounds.
In addition, it goes without saying that you need proper qualifications for the job you’re applying for. For instance, nurses who want to work in another country should be skilled in rendering quality health services to patients. They may need training that is recognized in the country they intend on working in, which may be different from the skills they have obtained elsewhere.
What Examinations Do I Need To Take?
The examinations you need to take to work overseas depends on the job and country you’re applying for. In most cases, English proficiency examinations are needed to work in other countries like the US., Australia, UK, and Canada. These include the International English Language Testing System (IETLS) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
IETLS is mandatory for non-native English speakers from other countries before entry to countries for both studies and work. For professionals, they need to pass certain board examinations to make them eligible to work in the country.
What Licenses Are Required?
As stated earlier, professionals need to gain licenses to practice in their chosen field overseas. For instance, doctors, nurses, and engineers should take the respective board examinations in the country they have chosen to work in. In Australia for instance, a bridging program is needed to be able to be eligible to take a final board exam. Nurses are required to study in the bridging program for a couple of months before they can take the licensure examination.
How Do I Actually Apply To Work Overseas?
Beware of fake agencies who extort money from applicants. To prevent this, it’s better to apply directly to government agencies like the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). There are various employers around the globe link up with POEA to open job posts. This way, you can achieve greater peace of mind and avoid being scammed by fraudulent agencies.
To be eligible to apply overseas, you should have all the needed documents required by most countries (e.g. a valid passport). You should also research how to process your working visa. If you have an employer already, they are the ones who will process the working visa or permit. In other cases, agencies can assist you in finding an employer, processing your documents, and getting your visa, with a fee.
Engage Work Abroad Agencies![]()
There are many legitimate overseas agencies that are POEA-accredited. These include:
| Agency | Contact Details | Specialization | |||||||||
| United Global Manpower Services, Inc |
|
Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Romania and Oman | |||||||||
| Aguinaldo Recruitment Agency |
|
USA, United Kingdom, Malaysia | |||||||||
| Jedegal International Manpower Services, Inc |
|
Singapore, Taiwan, Qatar, Kuwait, Hong Kong | |||||||||
| ASC Global |
|
United Kingdom |
Prepare All The Needed Documents
The documents needed to apply for overseas work are virtually the same across all the countries, some just need additional papers and certificates.
The usual documents required by other countries include:
- A resume or CV with detailed job descriptioN
- A valid Philippine passport
- School credentials like a High School or College Diploma, a Post Graduate Diploma (if applicable), and a Transcript of Records (TOR)
- A valid Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) ID (if needed)
- Employment certificates
- Birth certificates
- Training or seminar certificates
- A health certificate issued by accredited clinics.
Create A Budget
How much is needed for you to work abroad? It depends on the country you’re aiming to work in or the type of work you will do. There are definite costs but you need to prepare certain fees including the placement fee, documentary fees, and visa fees.
POEA-licensed recruitment agencies are allowed to collect placement fees, which is their share for successfully assisting the employee to land a job overseas. Usually, the cost is equivalent to one month of the employee’s salary abroad.
Applicants need to shoulder the payment for the processing of the needed documents as well as the fees for the visa, airplane ticket and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) membership fee.
Spend Quality Time With Your Loved Ones
Working overseas means not seeing your loved ones for a long time. Make sure you spend quality time with them before you leave and devise a plan of communication that factors in any time difference.
It’s not easy to leave everything behind, but many of us make big sacrifices to search for a better quality of life. We hope this guide will help you take that first step in your journey. Share your thoughts in the comments section below.